Is Atheism to Theism conversion really possible?

[jmars]

I am a former Christian turned atheist and I believe it would be highly improbable that I would ever go back. It is hard for me as well as many staunch atheists to believe it possible or at least probable that very many atheists have converted to Christianity. While many born-agains claim to have previously been atheists, it is, in my opinion, probably because they mostly didn't think about it before. The lack of belief through ignorance is not the same of lack of belief based on evidentiary logic as is the case with me and most atheists who call themselves atheist.

Some christians love to make the claim that "many atheists have converted to Christianity" while unable to name any themselves, so I am curious if any of you have converted from atheism to Christianity, what compelled you to do so, and what were your specific beliefs or non-beliefs before your conversion.

[Goat]

I am a former Christian turned atheist and I believe it would be highly improbable that I would ever go back. It is hard for me as well as many staunch atheists to believe it possible or at least probable that very many atheists have converted to Christianity. While many born-agains claim to have previously been atheists, it is, in my opinion, probably because they mostly didn't think about it before. The lack of belief through ignorance is not the same of lack of belief based on evidentiary logic as is the case with me and most atheists who call themselves atheist.

Some christians love to make the claim that "many atheists have converted to Christianity" while unable to name any themselves, so I am curious if any of you have converted from atheism to Christianity, what compelled you to do so, and what were your specific beliefs or non-beliefs before your conversion.

If you look at the user group 'former atheists', you will see some that claim to have gone from atheism to Christianity.

[jmars]

I'm sure they exist. I just wanted to hear the path of logic that lead them from atheism to Christianity. Was it a tragedy in their life, an addiction, a search for truth, etc? And I want to see if my hypothesis that they weren't atheists as the word is understood by me to be or if they were just never introduced to anything religious or philosophical until happening upon Christianity.

[OnceConvinced]

I can understand why you're asking the question. People who claim to be former atheists, I wonder how many actually considered themselves atheists or whether they claim to be former atheists because they either didn't believe in God or had never even considered the possibility of a God.

[realthinker]

I am a former Christian turned atheist and I believe it would be highly improbable that I would ever go back. It is hard for me as well as many staunch atheists to believe it possible or at least probable that very many atheists have converted to Christianity. While many born-agains claim to have previously been atheists, it is, in my opinion, probably because they mostly didn't think about it before. The lack of belief through ignorance is not the same of lack of belief based on evidentiary logic as is the case with me and most atheists who call themselves atheist.

Some christians love to make the claim that "many atheists have converted to Christianity" while unable to name any themselves, so I am curious if any of you have converted from atheism to Christianity, what compelled you to do so, and what were your specific beliefs or non-beliefs before your conversion.

Never underestimate the devastation that life's events can inflict on one's emotional and cognitive state. And regardless of what you feel about it, when you're beaten and broken, whatever helps you is a good thing. When you're overwhelmed, confused, at a loss for where to turn, God's arbitrary and boundless powers can help give some stability. And if belief makes you more able, more productive, better able to cope, it's better than disbelief.

[otseng]

If you look at the user group 'former atheists', you will see some that claim to have gone from atheism to Christianity.

I'm a member of that group, so I guess I'll pipe up.

Never underestimate the devastation that life's events can inflict on one's emotional and cognitive state.

This can also result in people turning away from God. Some emotional event can happen that will cause them to leave God. And if I were to fall away, this would most likely be the reason for me. And it would be highly unlikely that I'd fall away by being confronted with a good argument that God was not real (primarily cause I've never seen one yet).

Some christians love to make the claim that "many atheists have converted to Christianity" while unable to name any themselves, so I am curious if any of you have converted from atheism to Christianity, what compelled you to do so, and what were your specific beliefs or non-beliefs before your conversion.

I was a weak atheist prior to becoming a Christian. There were no major traumatic events going on when I decided to follow God when I was a freshman in college (unless you count finals as traumatic). The initial evidence for me that God was real was backmasking. A Christian group presented a seminar on it and asked how did it get there. To make a long story short, I accepted that a supernatural answer was the best explanation. Then awhile later, I started the journey of exploring Creationism. And the more I studied it over the years, the more sense it made to me than a purely naturalistic explanation.

[twobitsmedia]

I am a former Christian turned atheist and I believe it would be highly improbable that I would ever go back.

You probably need to identify what you mean by "Christian." Belief? Faith? Born into it? etc???

It is hard for me as well as many staunch atheists to believe it possible or at least probable that very many atheists have converted to Christianity.

"very many?" This allows that some have. How many is "very many?"

While many born-agains claim to have previously been atheists, it is, in my opinion, probably because they mostly didn't think about it before.

Since it is "your opinion," why do you have that opinion?

The lack of belief through ignorance is not the same of lack of belief based on evidentiary logic as is the case with me and most atheists who call themselves atheist.

I think the phrase is more properly "interpretation of evidentiary logic."

Some christians love to make the claim that "many atheists have converted to Christianity" while unable to name any themselves, so I am curious if any of you have converted from atheism to Christianity,

I have. I can name many people you do not know. The more famed are CS Lewis, Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Francis Collins, William Murray, etc. They have made claim to conversion. The "evidentiary logicists" have and will reinterpret the evidence of their assertions accordingly to support their argument.

what compelled you to do so,

"compelled?" I don't think I was "compelled." It came about as the result of examining some things I thought were true.

and what were your specific beliefs or non-beliefs before your conversion.

I held that there could not be a God because the world was in such a mess. And if God was real he would not have taken my dad from me when I was 9 years old....among other things.

[QED]

...so I am curious if any of you have converted from atheism to Christianity, what compelled you to do so, and what were your specific beliefs or non-beliefs before your conversion.

Well I'm slightly ashamed to say that I can see a certain attraction towards Christianity; more than being a global brand with a simple but effective logo, it offers people a proper "club" that they can join and identify with others in. This certainly fulfils what seems to be a basic human social need which, in my own experience at least, exists in complete independence of any religious yearnings.

To a degree, this background knowledge helps me understand why Christians are so resistant to "logical attacks" from without and certainly explains how the emotional side of things could come to overpower the rational side in an atheist.

I would add that I don't feel quite the same pull towards the "Islamic club", which suggests to me a strong cultural influence on what is and isn't attractive -- although the exotic (to me at any rate) Latin manifestation of Christian symbolism has a "cool factor" that I do find most intriguing.

[jmars]

I am a former Christian turned atheist and I believe it would be highly improbable that I would ever go back.

You probably need to identify what you mean by "Christian." Belief? Faith? Born into it? etc???

I was raised a Christian. I went to church 3 times a week. I played on my worship team. I went on missions trips. I starred in many church plays about the Christmas story and the Resurrection. I prayed, read the bible everyday. I truly believed with all my heart that Jesus Christ was my Lord and Savior. Do I qualify? Was I not a "true" Christian and that is why I became an atheist in your opinion?

It is hard for me as well as many staunch atheists to believe it possible or at least probable that very many atheists have converted to Christianity.

"very many?" This allows that some have. How many is "very many?"

Less than is purported by Christians. I'm not denying that some have. This is the point of this topic. I want to hear from the ones who have. Possibly to change my opinion if there is enough evidence of it. I would have to say that less than 1% of hard atheists have ever converted to Christianity if you want a number.

While many born-agains claim to have previously been atheists, it is, in my opinion, probably because they mostly didn't think about it before.

Since it is "your opinion," why do you have that opinion?

I have that opinion based on observation and what I know of both atheism and Christianity.

The lack of belief through ignorance is not the same of lack of belief based on evidentiary logic as is the case with me and most atheists who call themselves atheist.

I think the phrase is more properly "interpretation of evidentiary logic."

If you are trying to say that there is evidence for Christianity that I have merely "interpreted" differently, I would have to disagree. Strong evidence needs little interpretation. You can use logic to come to a conclusion based on evidence, but it either is or isn't. The "evidence" in the Bible requires interpretation.

Some christians love to make the claim that "many atheists have converted to Christianity" while unable to name any themselves, so I am curious if any of you have converted from atheism to Christianity,

I have. I can name many people you do not know. The more famed are CS Lewis, Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Francis Collins, William Murray, etc. They have made claim to conversion. The "evidentiary logicists" have and will reinterpret the evidence of their assertions accordingly to support their argument.

I have read a few of writings from some of these people and this brings us back to interpretation. You shouldn't have to "interpret" good, strong evidence. They are apologists. They have presuppositions that they use logic to back up. C.S. Lewis was hardly a "staunch atheist".

what compelled you to do so,

"compelled?" I don't think I was "compelled." It came about as the result of examining some things I thought were true.

Okay. What is was compelling about Christianity. Interesting? Why did you come to Christianity? Are you claiming to be an atheist to Christianity convert, because I was addressing them. Don't forget I am talking about an atheist that arrived at his/her conclusions based on logic and evidence or lack thereof -- who actively have a disbelief, not one who is indifferent to the idea.

and what were your specific beliefs or non-beliefs before your conversion.

I held that there could not be a God because the world was in such a mess. And if God was real he would not have taken my dad from me when I was 9 years old....among other things.

So why did you change your mind? Having an emotional disbelief in a God is different than analysis of the religious doctrine itself. Did you consider yourself an atheist based on what you know about the natural world vs what is written in the Bible?

[twobitsmedia]

I was raised a Christian. I went to church 3 times a week. I played on my worship team. I went on missions trips. I starred in many church plays about the Christmas story and the Resurrection. I prayed, read the bible everyday. I truly believed with all my heart that Jesus Christ was my Lord and Savior. Do I qualify? Was I not a "true" Christian and that is why I became an atheist in your opinion?

Since I am not the "qualifer" you know what you were or weren't.

It is hard for me as well as many staunch atheists to believe it possible or at least probable that very many atheists have converted to Christianity.

"very many?" This allows that some have. How many is "very many?"

Less than is purported by Christians. I'm not denying that some have. This is the point of this topic. I want to hear from the ones who have. Possibly to change my opinion if there is enough evidence of it. I would have to say that less than 1% of hard atheists have ever converted to Christianity if you want a number.

What would evidence of a conversion be? A mission trip? A church play? Prayer and a Bible?

While many born-agains claim to have previously been atheists, it is, in my opinion, probably because they mostly didn't think about it before.

Since it is "your opinion," why do you have that opinion?

I have that opinion based on observation and what I know of both atheism and Christianity.

If what you know is correct, then OK

The lack of belief through ignorance is not the same of lack of belief based on evidentiary logic as is the case with me and most atheists who call themselves atheist.

I think the phrase is more properly "interpretation of evidentiary logic."

If you are trying to say that there is evidence for Christianity that I have merely "interpreted" differently, I would have to disagree.

No that is not what I said.

Strong evidence needs little interpretation. You can use logic to come to a conclusion based on evidence, but it either is or isn't. The "evidence" in the Bible requires interpretation.

The "evidence' of logic is interprteted.

Some christians love to make the claim that "many atheists have converted to Christianity" while unable to name any themselves, so I am curious if any of you have converted from atheism to Christianity,

I have. I can name many people you do not know. The more famed are CS Lewis, Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Francis Collins, William Murray, etc. They have made claim to conversion. The "evidentiary logicists" have and will reinterpret the evidence of their assertions accordingly to support their argument.

I have read a few of writings from some of these people and this brings us back to interpretation. You shouldn't have to "interpret" good, strong evidence. They are apologists. They have presuppositions that they use logic to back up. C.S. Lewis was hardly a "staunch atheist".

You seem very defensive considering that was NOT a point I made. But now instead of atheists you just want "staunch" ones? I don't remember that being a point: staunch vs unstaunch. Would not a good atheist be someone who does not pray or read the Bible, go on mission trips, or be in church plays, or believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord?

what compelled you to do so,

"compelled?" I don't think I was "compelled." It came about as the result of examining some things I thought were true.

Okay. What is was compelling about Christianity. Interesting?

It is interesting to note that I just said I don't think I was "compelled" and then you ask this.

Why did you come to Christianity? Are you claiming to be an atheist to Christianity convert, because I was addressing them. Don't forget I am talking about an atheist that arrived at his/her conclusions based on logic and evidence or lack thereof -- who actively have a disbelief, not one who is indifferent to the idea.

I used to never believe in Jesus as Lord, never prayed or read the Bible, never went to church or church plays or missions. Does that qualify?

and what were your specific beliefs or non-beliefs before your conversion.

I held that there could not be a God because the world was in such a mess. And if God was real he would not have taken my dad from me when I was 9 years old....among other things.

So why did you change your mind? Having an emotional disbelief in a God is different than analysis of the religious doctrine itself. Did you consider yourself an atheist based on what you know about the natural world vs what is written in the Bible?

I am "Christian" based on what I know about both.